Introduction
The Yamaha FGX800C is an exceptional acoustic-electric guitar that stands out for its high-quality construction, versatile sound, and affordable price point. This guitar features a classic dreadnought body shape with a cutaway for easy upper fret access. The top is solid Sitka spruce, which provides excellent resonance and volume. The back and sides are made from laminated nato, which offers a balanced and well-rounded tone.
The FGX800C is equipped with Yamaha’s System 66 preamp and pickup system, allowing you to plug into an amplifier or PA system for amplified performances. The preamp gives you control over volume and 3-band EQ so you can shape your amplified tone. With its solid spruce top and quality electronics, the FGX800C delivers exceptional plugged-in and unplugged tones that punch well above its price class. It’s an ideal acoustic-electric for beginners, gigging musicians, or anyone needing excellent acoustic versatility without breaking the bank.
Body & Construction
The Yamaha FGX800C features a traditional dreadnought body shape that provides excellent projection and volume. This makes it well-suited for both playing acoustic or plugging in live and in the studio.
The top of the FGX800C is made of solid Sitka spruce, which is a popular choice for acoustic guitars due to its balanced tone. Sitka spruce offers a nice warmth in the low end, sweet and articulate mids, and crisp treble notes. The solid wood construction allows the top to resonate and vibrate freely.
The back and sides are made from nato wood, also known as Eastern mahogany. Nato has a tight wood grain that brings out robust lows and pronounced midrange tones. This complements the spruce top nicely, adding depth and body to the overall acoustic voice.
To enhance resonance and volume, Yamaha employs scalloped X-bracing on the FGX800C. By scalloping and thinning the braces, the wooden top is able to vibrate more freely. This allows the guitar to be loud while retaining the rich overtones of the spruce and nato woods.
Neck, Fingerboard & Hardware
The Yamaha FGX800C features a nato neck with a comfortable medium profile C-shape that provides a nice balance of thickness and contours. The neck has a standard 25.6" scale length and 20-fret rosewood fingerboard. The fingerboard has a 12" radius which gives it a flatter feel compared to more curved vintage-style necks. This allows for easier bending and fretting, especially for players with smaller hands.
The guitar comes equipped with die-cast chrome enclosed tuning machines. These tuners operate smoothly and do a good job of holding the guitar in tune. The nut and saddle are both made of urea, which helps provide clarity and definition to each note. The urea nut is cut precisely for accurate intonation up and down the neck. The bridge pins are also made of urea and efficiently transfer string vibrations into the body.
Electronics & Controls
The Yamaha FGX800C features the System 66 preamp and under-saddle piezo pickup system. This gives the guitar its ability to be plugged into an amplifier or PA system for live performance or recording.
The preamp has an intuitive control layout with a 1/4" output jack, battery compartment, volume knob, 3-band EQ, and built-in tuner. There are separate volume controls for the microphone blend and instrument level.
The preamp is powered by a single 9V battery, which provides over 100 hours of use. A low battery indicator light lets you know when it’s time to replace the battery.
Overall, the System 66 preamp provides excellent amplified tone and flexibility for blending the piezo pickup and mic’d sound. The controls are easy to use while providing a decent amount of tone shaping ability.
Sound & Playability
The Yamaha FGX800C produces a balanced, warm acoustic tone with good projection and volume thanks to its solid spruce top and dreadnought body shape. The notes have clarity and depth across the tonal range, from articulate highs to rounded lows. Strumming has a bright chime while fingerpicking brings out the guitar’s nuanced resonance.
When plugged in, the FGX800C maintains its core acoustic tone through the System 66 preamp and under-saddle piezo pickup. The EQ provides flexibility for shaping the amplified sound – boosting lows fills out the bottom end for rhythm playing while cutting mids and boosting highs can give a sharper solo/lead tone. The guitar has plenty of dynamic range when plugged in, able to go from shimmering cleans to natural overdrive when pushed.
Playability is excellent with a slim neck profile, low action, and smooth frets. The neck width and slimmer nut make complex chording comfortable. The cutaway body allows easy access to higher frets while the dreadnought body provides comfort and balance. Overall it’s a very playable instrument equally suited to rhythm parts and melodic lead lines.
Pricing & Accessories
The Yamaha FGX800C has a street price that typically ranges from $300 to $400 USD. This positions it as a very affordable acoustic-electric guitar, especially when compared to similar models from Fender, Ibanez, and other brands that can run $100+ more.
The FGX800C comes bundled with a decent starter pack of accessories:
- Gig bag – Provides basic protection for transport and storage
- Set of strings – Usually an extra set beyond what’s installed
- Guitar picks – A variety of pick thicknesses may be included
- Guitar strap – Helps play the guitar standing up
- Electronic tuner – Allows quickly tuning the guitar
Some retailers offer additional items bundled with the FGX800C at no extra cost, like instructional DVDs, polishing cloths, capos, and more. This adds even more value for players looking to get started with a complete set of beginner gear.
For better protection when transporting and storing the FGX800C, upgrading to a hardshell case is recommended. Though it adds to the upfront cost, a case will protect the guitar from dings, dust, and other issues when not in use.
User Reviews & Ratings
The Yamaha FGX800C has received very positive reviews from users across major retailers and forums. On Guitar Center it has a 5/5 rating based on over 350 reviews, with 93% recommending it. On Sweetwater it has a 5/5 rating from over 175 reviews, with 95% saying they would buy it again.
Common pros mentioned in reviews:
- Great value for the quality of materials and construction
- Versatile acoustic and amplified tones
- Easy playability right out of the box
- Impressive volume and projection unplugged
Common cons mentioned:
- Some issues with minor finish flaws or fret buzz
- Electronics could be more advanced for the price point
- Not as loud acoustically as a fully solid wood guitar
Overall the Yamaha FGX800C receives consistently high marks for being an affordable, quality acoustic-electric that punches above its price point. Most describe it as an ideal entry-level guitar with pro-level playability and tones. The electronics provide flexibility for practice and performing. While not without some minor flaws, most agree you get impressive value compared to others in this range.
Ideal For
The Yamaha FGX800C is an ideal acoustic-electric guitar for several types of players:
-
Beginner guitarists – The FGX800C is a great first guitar. Its affordable price, slim neck, low action, and smaller dreadnought body size make it very beginner-friendly. The built-in tuner helps keep it in tune, and the cutaway design allows easy access to higher frets as skills progress. The all-wood construction means it will sound good and last.
-
Students – With its classic looks, great acoustic tone, and quality electronics, the FGX800C works well for school music programs or guitar lessons. The versatile sound covers many genres, and it’s durable enough to handle regular practice and transport. Parents appreciate the reasonable cost too.
-
Gigging musicians on a budget – Working musicians who need a reliable acoustic-electric model for gigs and travel will appreciate the FGX800C. It punches above its price with pro-level electronics and stage-worthy projection. The cutaway shape makes it easier to play solos at the upper frets. Overall, it’s a great plug-and-play acoustic-electric for gigs.
The Yamaha FGX800C balances affordability with quality construction and versatile sound. For new players, students, or gigging musicians needing an acoustic-electric on a budget, the FGX800C is an excellent choice.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Solid spruce top provides excellent warmth and resonance
- Cutaway dreadnought body allows easy access to higher frets
- Onboard preamp and pickup system offers great amplified tones
- C-shaped neck and slim profile make it very comfortable to play
- Excellent value and quality for an affordable price point
Cons
- Lack of solid wood back and sides somewhat limits acoustic projection
- Electronics could be more versatile with blend controls and effects
- Quality control issues like fret buzz and finish flaws occasionally reported
- Not the loudest unplugged acoustic for very large venues
- Preamp powered by 9V battery rather than rechargeable lithium ion
Conclusion
The Yamaha FGX800C is an excellent choice for beginner and intermediate acoustic guitar players looking for versatility and value. Its all-solid wood construction provides warm, balanced tone that projects well unplugged. The built-in System 66 preamp gives you access to studio-quality amplified tones at the flip of a switch.
Overall, the FGX800C punches well above its weight class in terms of features and sound quality. The easy playability from its slim neck, low action, and smooth frets make this a great choice even for students and small hands. While it may lack some bells and whistles from higher-end models, it provides professional-grade performance at an entry-level price point.
For acoustic guitarists on a budget, whether you’re a beginner looking for your first serious instrument or a gigging musician needing a rugged, reliable workhorse, the Yamaha FGX800C should be at the top of your list. Its quality and versatility are virtually unbeatable at this price point. I give it my highest recommendation for any player looking to get the most bang for their buck.